Scrimmages Approaching, Foligno Excited, Hall Still Out, Hossa’s Gift, Zadorov Speaks, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

Right out of the gate, some news for anyone thinking about attending one of the Blackhawks’ practices during training camp. Head coach Luke Richardson told the media on Friday that they plan to run intra-squad scrimmages on Monday and Tuesday with the refs to get game-like situations. At this point they had been in camp for two days and we were watching them install their systems and work on making sure everyone knew who was going which part of the plan. Doing it full speed on a full sheet instead of just going through the motions will be a lot more fun to watch as a fan – and more to write about when- a they open the ice and these guys go and do what they do. So circle Monday and Tuesday on your calendar (remember: you must reserve tickets to enter).

  • Nick Foligno Noticed all over the rink the first two days of camp, chatting with young players during warm-up skates and pulling kids during drills. Richardson has already told the media that there were times Foligno took a young player to help them with something before the coaches got there. That’s exactly the kind of leadership we’ve come to expect given Foligno’s reputation as one of the best guys in the league. But his comments about being excited about the direction the Blackhawks are going and really buying into the trip here are inspiring and exciting.

  • No news… news… when you’re talking about a veteran brought in specifically to work on the future face of the franchise. Taylor Hall has not featured until recently due to a lower body issue. Richardson said it was “similar” to the injury he suffered in Boston last year – one that put him on the shelf for six weeks. We’re all hoping that won’t be the case at the start of his time in Chicago, but the lack of any real updates is unfortunate.

  • Marian HossaBeing in town, which is always awesome. He watched some of the second practice — one including Connor Bedard — on Friday. In his Instagram story, Hossa. unveiled a beautiful custom skate given to him by the Blackhawks. Amazing artwork!

  • The Blackhawks goaltender Drew Commesso worked out every day with Bruins netminder Jeremy Swayman this summer. Boston Hockey Now’s Jimmy Murphy asked Swayman about the compliments Commesso paid, and he returned the favor and spoke highly of Commesso. The first-year pro will likely get some time to learn the pro game in Rockford this season, but he appears to have a solid plan to approach the game.

  • There was a preseason game last night — in Australia. The Kings and Coyotes begin the 2023 NHL preseason with a game down. Which looks neat (if you’re awake at midnight CT for the puck drop). Arizona won the game 5-3 and Logan Cooley scored this beauty. I am not happy that he will be in the Blackhawks division for the next three years (at least… in theory…) with the Coyotes.

  • Former Blackhawks defenseman Nikita Zadorov became the first Russian player to speak out against the war in Ukraine on Friday. It’s sad, but he’s right — he probably won’t be able to return to Russia until there’s a regime change there. It’s easy for some of us to take for granted comments like this because we don’t understand the level of sacrifice that goes into it. I commend Zadorov for standing up.

  • Finally, the Cubs are in a playoff race and will wake up Saturday in control of their destiny. That’s all you can ask for, right? That and a series win over the Pirates in the last week of the regular season… never mind…

  • But hey! Marcus Stroman is starting now!

    • Surprise: Marcus Stroman starts for Cubs Tomorrow


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